Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-29
Norway Pearl Fishing.
NATURES JEWEL CAsKETs BROUGHT UP
FROM THE SEA.

A recently issued bulletin of the United
States Fish Commission contains a transla-
ton of an interesting report by Engineer NJ.
Weber of Norway on pearls and pearl
fisheries. "Many mussels," says this report,
''cover the inside of their shell with layer
consisting of animal membranes and car
donated lime; thereby a peculiar luster is
produced on the inside Of the shell, which is
called mother of pearl. A small portion of
this secretion often forms excrescences shaped
like drops or kidneys, which either are en-
bedded more or less firmly in the inside of
the shell or lie loose in the soft parts of the
animal, especially in its so-called beard.
These are what are generally known as
pearls. The formation of mother of pearl
is doubtless a natural process taking place
in certain mussels. The formation OF pearls,
on the other hand, is ascribed to accidents,
and probably is caused by a sickness Of the
mussel, or by some wound inflicted on it.
This view has been reached by noticing the
circumstance that when the sh.ls are large
and the inside smooth. clean and without
any holes, so that the mollusks can fully
develop, pearls are but rarely found; while
the formation of pearls is very frequent when
the shells are irregular. Sometimes hun
dreds OF pearls are found in the last
mentioned shells; but frequently scarcely
one of them possesses any commercial value.
Real pearls are found only in bivalves; but
useful product is found in some univalves."
Fourteen varieties are enumerated, the pro
ducts of which are known to commerce.
Among these are the avicula margarltltera,
which produces the most valuable pearls, the
pima squamosa with black and red pearls
and the chank shell, with pale red pearls.
The sea pearl fisheries are principally con-
fined to the Persian gulf, coasts OF Ceylon,
the eastern archipelago. Australia. the la
goons of many islands in the Pacific and to
Central America. Fresh water pearls have,
as rule, but little lustre, and are conse-
quently of no great value. For a while the
Scoth pearls enjoyed great reputation.
During the summer months the Arabs carry
on a sort of pearl fishery on the coast of the
Red Sea. They catch the mollusks and lay
them in the sun so that they may open quick
ly. The pearl fisheries in the Persian gulf,
especially on the coasts OF the island of Bah
rein, are also IN the bands of the Arabs.
The Ceylon pearl fisheries are carried on
on the west coast of Cevlon. in the Gulf of
Manaar, south of the island of the same name,
and also on the west coast of India, near
Tuticorn. Experience has shown that few
pearls, and these of little value, come from
mussels which are not older than five years.
During the fifth and sixth year the value
doubles, and in the seventh it becomes four
fold. The pearls are not fully matured if
they are taken out too soon, and, on the other
hand, the animal dies if the pearl. remain too
long in the shells China has pearl fisheries
near Pakhoi. The Philippine Islands pro-
duce large quantities of mother of.pearl. The
entire region from the island of Tawi Tawi
and Lulu to Baselan is one continuous bed of
pearl oysters Here the Malays and Chinese
fish in common. The Lulu fisheries, near
Tawi-Tawi, are, according to the statement of
an Englishma1, Mr.. Moore, the largest and
most productive of ali the pearl fisheries in
the East Asatic seas. The pearls which are
caught here have always been famous, and the
mother of-pearl is distinguished by its yellow
luster, which makes it suitable for many pur-
poses. The most important pearl fisheries in
Queenland are in the hands of Sydney capi-
talists. The fisheries are carried on by Ma
lays, who dive to depth of six fathoms The
pearl fisheries on the northwest coast of Aus
tralia employ a large number of MaIays and
natives as divers. Recently the English pa
pers have reported the discovery of pearls and
mother of pearl near New Zealand.
The Central American pearl f.heries are
carried on on both sides of the Isthmus of
Panama. In the lower part of the Bay of
Mllege. in the Calf of California, and near
Los Covntes, pearls of great value have been
found. 1t is generally supposed that row
of pearl beds extends from the Gulf of
Darien to California. The fisheries are car
ried on from July till October; during the
rest of the year storms and cold weather pre-
vent fishing. Diving suits are generally
used. The mother of pearl from the Gulf of
California is white, with BLUSH black or yell
low bands. The fisheries were carried to
such an excess that the size of the shells de-
creased from year to year; fishing is there
fore now permitted only every fourth year.
The California shells are sent almost exclu-
sively to Hamburg, whence they go to Eng
land, Austria and France The largest guam
tity goes to Paris, but great deal also goes
to Frankfort on-the Main. The entire Cali
fornia fisheries are said to produce from
5000 600 to 100000 pounds of mother of
pearl per annum. In the Bahamas the snail
fisheries form an important industry. The
pearls found in them are rose-col ,red, yell
low or black; the first mentioned alone pos
sess any value.
In the State of Ohio pearl fisheries are car
ried on in Little Miami River. The season
lasts from June until October. Men and
bows wade in the river and bring up the pearl
oysters with knife. and seldom are more
than two pearls found in 800 oysters. Pearl
fisheries are also carried on in the rivers of